Geographic Marvels In India

India is the seventh largest country in the world. This means that India's landscape is as diverse as its people and culture. Given such natural diversity, it would not come as a surprise that India has beautiful geographic features that attract tourists and geography enthusiasts from far and wide. However, the following places are so amazing that it may take India's geographic beauty to the next level.

• Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra

Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument, saline, soda lake, located at Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India. Lonar Lake was created by a meteor impact. The crate holds alkaline as well as salt water, which gives it its green colour. This deep ditch creates a unique geographic contrast with the flat plains.

• Yana, Karnataka

Yana is a village located in forests of the Kumta, Utttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India which is known for the unusual karst rock formations. A popular trekking destination, Yana is a natural marvel because it is made up ofstalactites and stalagmites in limestone formations. There are two tall shikharas - Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is 120 metres (390ft) in height, while the Mohini Shikhara, which is smaller, is 90 metres (300ft) in height. The site is a popular pilgrimage place as well, as it links to Hindu mythology.

• Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. It is about 7500 sq km (2900 sq miles) in area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world. What is so mesmerising about this place is that it is covered with white salt as far as the eyes can see. This creates an impression of a lost wonderland, especially on a full-moon night.

• Magnetic Hill, Leh-Ladakh

Magnet Hill is a "Cyclops hill" (impression of a hill) located near Leh in Ladakh, India. The layout of the area and surrounding slopes create the appearance of a hill. The hill road is actually a downhill road. Objects and cars on the hill road may appear to roll uphill in defiance of gravity when they are, in fact, rolling downhill. It is said that if the cars' ignition is turned off, it is felt that the vehicles are being pulled by the magnetism.

• Barren Island Volcano, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Barren Island hosts the only active volcano in India, which erupted in 2017. This volcanic island stands in the midst of a volcanic belt on the edge of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates. When we think of volcanoes, we think of Hawaii and Japan, but India also holds this priced treasure.

Having read this article, where will your wanderlust spirit take you next?